Are Cellular Phones Dangerous to Your Health?

Concerns that cell phones cause brain tumors have not stopped millions of people from enjoying wireless links to friends, family, and business associates.
The all-too-familiar chirp of a cellular phone shatters the peace at the beach, breaks up conversations, and intrudes just about everywhere. But such encroachments on privacy may be the least of our concerns.

Health Problems?

People have voiced concern about the dangers of radiofrequency (RF) energy from cell phones. After reviewing the results of multiple studies, though, scientists have not found definite evidence about the harm from cell phones.

One case-control study of 996 adults with a brain tumor found that using a cell phone on one side of the head was associated with an excess risk of having a brain tumor. Despite this, most case studies have found that long-term cellular phone use is not clearly associated with increased risk of a brain tumor.

A large case-control study coordinated by the World Health Organization that included 5,117 patients with brain tumors and matched control patients without brain tumors did not find a clear link between cell-phone use and risk of brian cancer. The authors warned that further research should be performed. They especially felt that more studies were needed, as the patients in this study used the mobile phones less than people do regularly today.

Playing It Safe

So are cell phones safe? The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers the health risk small, and given the evidence they have available, has not linked cell phones with any health problems. If you are concerned about the risk of using a cell phone, the FDA recommends the following:

Hold longer calls on a conventional phone, restricting cell phone use to shorter calls and situations where traditional phones are not available.

Use speaker mode, a headset, or a hands-free kit to place more distance between your head and the cell phone.

Although current studies do not connect cell phone use to brain cancer, that does not mean this not change. Cell phone users are getting younger, which means their exposure to RF energy is longer. Future studies will determine if longer-term use of cell phone has an effect on the brain or not.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

No Evidence Linking Cell Phone Use to Risk of Brain Tumors.
United States Food and Drug Administration website. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM212306.pdf. Updated May 2010. Accessed September 9, 2013.

Reducing exposure: hands-free kits and other accessories
steps to reduce exposure to radiofrequency energy.
United States Food and Drug Administration website. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/HomeBusinessandEntertainment/CellPhones/ucm116293.htm. Updated August 8, 2012. Accessed September 9, 2013.